BGFAT hasn’t quite got the same ring to it, but this show could teach Britain’s Got Talent a thing or two. The structure’s the same – interactive audience-based voting system (laminated red and green card under seat), friendly-faced host (comedian, Liam Withnail), and a reel of hilarious characters… oh yeah, and talent!

Fringe newcomer Matthew Ellis, dons the stage as a different competitor each time like a seasoned pro. It’s hard to believe he hasn’t done this before – raking in capacity audiences in an obscure venue on a year when sales are notably down. 

Ellis has spent a year boiling, simmering, reducing and straining the component personalities that make up the bad and the ugly of the BGT talent pool. There’s Skorchka O’Finnegan, a Northern Irish 16 year old girl, promiscuous, break-dancing devout catholic; Jelly Bean Martinez, Spanish, bisexual wanna-be pop-star; Kenny Boyle, SuBo’s jealous cousin, who’s had an eye pecked out by pigeons and wanders around with a blue plastic bag, to name but a few.. All are excellent and lovable in their own way, and my belly shook with laughter the whole way through. In fact, I sought out the facebook group – Britain’s Got F*ck All Talent – afterwards, where you can find the characters back stories, and many more hopeful, but rejected competitors. I literally spent hours watching Ellis’ inventions come to life in 2 minute bites. 

Forty minutes of pure entertainment. With only a few more days to go, don’t miss this one if you can help it!

Britain’s Got F*ck All Talent, 

The Shack, Rose Street, 

Until 25 August, 5pm